Circuit closing device



July 7, 1931. T. H. GILBERT CIRCUIT CLOSING DEVICE Filed April 26, 1929' 1424 11.

INVENT0142. Tyson H. Hilberf,

A TTORNE Y.

Patented July 7, 1931 UNITED STATES TYSON H. GILBERT, OF ABILENE, TEXAS CIRCUIT CLOSING DEVICE Application filed April 26,

This invention relates to a circuit closing device designed primarily for automatically closing a normally open alarm circuit in case of fire, but it is to be understood that a circuit closing device in accordance with this invention may be employed for any purposes for which it is found applicable, and the invention has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of the class referred to for automatically closing or cutting in an alarm circuit when the fuse plug which is interposed in a power line, such as a lighting circuit burns or blows out, due to a short in the line, or in other words, when the fuse member of the plug is placed in a state of fusion the alarm circuit is closed.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a circuit closing device for the purpose referred to and including a fuse plug type interposed in a power circuit, such as a lighting circuit and with the plug formed with a resilient, releasable, circuit closing element connected to and normally retained in retracted position with the fuse member of the plug, and whereby on the fusing of such member said element will be released to automatically engage with the alarm circuit to cut in or close the latter.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a circuit closing device which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, thoroughly efficient in its use, readily assembled, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangment of parts wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic View illustrat ing a lighting circuit, a normally open alarm circuit and a circuit closing device for the 1929. Serial No. 358,394.

alarm circuit and with such device installed with respect to the lighting circuit and the alarm circuit.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of an embodiment of a circuit closing device in accordance with this invention.

Figure 3 is a section on line 33 Figure 2.

A circuit closing device in accordance with this invention includes a fuse plug which may be mounted in a socket formed on the base of a switch or in an extension socket projecting from the socket on the base of the switch. An embodiment of circuit closing device in accordance with this invention is illustrated as including an extension socket referred to generally at 1 and a fuse plug referred to generally at 2. If the socket 1 is not employed, the circuit conductor 3 of the alarm circuit, the contact 4 and the means for electrically anchoring said contact 4 and terminal 5 will be connected to the socket 6 formed on the base 7 of a two-way switch referred to generally at 8. It is thought unnecessary to illustrate such arrangement with respect to the socket 6 as the change is an obvious one.

A lighting circuit is generally indicated at 9, and an alarm circuit at 10 and which includes the conductor 3. The alarm is designated at 11. Attached to the circuit wires 12, 13 of the lighting circuit 9 is a conductor 14 having interposed therein a thermostatic element 15 which when acted upon by an increase in ten'iperature, such as heat from a fire will close thereby short circuiting the circuit 9, blowing or burning out the fuse member of the fuse plug The line 10 further includes a conductor 16. The conductors or lines 12, 13 are attached to the binding posts 17, 18 of the switch 8. The conductor 3 as illustrated is in electrical connection with the extension plug 1 and the conductor 16 is connected to the post 17.

The base 7 carries a binding post 19 which is electrically connected with the binding post 17 by a strap 20 of conducting material. The wall of the socket 6 has an annular, metallic, cup-shaped member 21 secured thereagainst and said member 21 has a threaded portion 22. The binding post 18 is connected with the binding post 19 by a strap 23 of conducting material and which extends through an opening 24 formed in the side of the member 21. The plug 19 extends up into i the member 21 and through the strap 23 and has an upset head 25. The head 25 provides formed with a lateral opening 27 having a' threaded wall. The inner face of the band or collar 26 is threaded as indicated at 28. Secured to the threaded inner face of the band or collar 26 and depending from the latter is a coupling sleeve 28 having its lower end inturned as'at 29. The sleeve 28 has a threaded upper portion 30 which engages with the threads on the inner face of the band or collar 26. The sleeve 28 further is formed with a lower threaded portion 31 which engages the threaded portion of the member 21.

Completely filling the lower portion of the sleeve 28 is a body of insulation material as indicated at 32. Extending axially of said body 32, as well as projecting above and depending below the same is a conductor member 33 having its lower end enlarged as at 34 for the purpose of engaging the contact 25. The upper end of the member 33 is enlarged, as at 34' and constitutes a contact.

Threadedly engaging with the wall of the opening 27 is a binding screw 35 which provides means for securing the terminal 3 and contact member 4 to the extension socket 1. The contact member 4 projects a substantial distance above the top of the band or collar 26 and that portion of the member4 above the extension socket 1 is of compound curvature as indicated at 36. The member 4 as before stated is resilient.

The fuse plug 2 comprises a body portion 37 of non-conducting material and formed with a vertically disposed pocket 38 and a recess 39 disposed laterally with respect to the pocket 38 and opening thereinto. body 37 is furthermore provided with an opening 40 which leads from the outer periphery of said body and communicates with the bottom of the recess 39. The body portion 37 has a reduced lower part 41 which is peripherally threaded and engaging with the peripheral threads of said part 41 is a threaded sleeve 42 of conducting material and which is provided with a vertically disposed extension 43 projecting through the opening 40 into the recess 39. The lower part 41 of the body portion 37 depends be low the sleeve 42 and is inversely tapered. Arranged axially of the inversely tapered lower part of the body portion 37 is a conductor member 44 having an enlarged lower end 45 which provides a contact and is adapted to seat on the contact 34. p

The member 44 extends into the pocket 38 and has an enlarged upper end 46 for a pur- The.

pose to be presentlyreferred to. The sleeve 42 threadedly engages with the threaded upper portion of the sleeve 28. The outer eriphery of the enlarged upper part of the ody portion 37 is formed with an annular groove 47 in which is countersunk a band 48 of conducting material and such band is {agitated to be engaged by the contact mem- Positioned within the body portion 37 and extending from the pocket 38 into the recess 39 is a fuse member 49 fixedly secured at one end to the extension 43 and at its other end to the upper end of a resilient circuit closing member 50. The lower end of the member 50 is disposed at right angles, as at 51 and engaging therewith and overlap ing the same is the enlarged upper end 46 of the conductor member 44. The normal position of member 50 is as shown in Figure 2 and when the member 49 becomes fused the member 50 is released and springs to the dotted line position shown in Figure 2 to engage a contact 52 which is arranged in the upper part of the body portion 37 and extends into the pocket 38 and further has electrical contactwith the band 28.

Under normal working conditions the parts will be as shown in Figure 2 and the alarm circuit 10 will be open. On the fusing of member 49 the circuit closing member 50 will be released whereby it will automatically spring to engage contact 52 under such conditions cutting in or closing the alarm circuit 10.

With reference to Figure 3 the fuse member 49 has a reduced central portion 52 which will fuse very quickly and provide for the separation of member 49 to enable the circuit closing member 50 to close or cut in the alarm circuit. Preferably the fuse member 49 is welded to the circuit closing member 50 and extension 43.

The outer end of pocket 39 is closed by a tapered closure 53 of known form. The construction and arrangement of the fuse plug 2 makes it adaptable for use whether it be employed in connection with an alarm circuit or not.

The switch 8 is of known construction and this statement applies to the other features referred to other than the extension plug 1 and fuse plug 2.

It is thought the many advantages of a circuit closing device, in accordance with this invention can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, yet it is to be understood that changes inthe details of construction can be had which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

1. A circuit closing device for the purpose set forth, a plug structure including a pocket, electrical conducting means secured to the periphery of the plug structure, a contact carried by the plug structure, electrically engaging with said means and pro'ecting into said pocket, said plug structure urther including a recess opening into said pocket, a sleeve mounted on the periphery of the plug structure and having an extension projecting into said recess, a conductor member extended from one end of said structure, a resilient circuit closin member having one end secured to the pfilg structure by said conductor member at its other end normally free of and adapted to abut said contact to close the circuit, said circuit closing member arranged in said pocket, and a fusible member fixedly secured at one end to the upper end of said circuit closing member and at its other end to said extension for normally maintaining said circuit closing member free of said contact.

2. In a circuit closing device a body of insulation provided with a pocket, a conductor member extending from the bottom of the pocket to the inner end of said body, a coupling sleeve carried by and extended from the inner end of said body, a collar of non-conductin material surrounding said sleeve, a ban of conducting materlal encompassing said body and spaced from said sleeve, a resilient circuit opening and closing member attached to the inner end of said conductor member, a contact embedded in said body having one end abutting said band and its other end arranged in the path of said circuit opening and closing member, a contact member in the circuit, attached to said collar and bearing against said hand, a fusible means havin one end anchored in said body and its ot er end to said circuit openin and closing member for normally maintaining the latter free of said contact, and a closure for the mouth of the pocket.

3. In a circuit opening and closing device,

a body of insulation provided with a pocket and a recess opening into the pocket, a contact mounted in said body and extending into said pocket, a resilient, normally latched circuit opening and closing member arranged within said pocket and abutting, when released, said contact to close the circuit, and fusible means having one end anchored in said recess and its other end anchored to said member for normally latching the latter clear of the contact until said means has fused whereby said member is released to abut said contact.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature hereto. TYSON H. GILBERT. 

